Method and apparatus for gathering visual data using an augmented-reality application

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for gathering visual data using an augmented-reality application is provided herein. During operation a location for a public-safety area of interest is determined. The location is provided to an augmented-reality server where an augmented-reality application (e.g., an augmented-reality game) is modified to place a virtual image in a position that is based on the public-safety area of interest. Images are then obtained from devices that point their cameras towards the public-safety area of interest.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to application Ser. No. 16/482,730,entitled Method and Apparatus for Gathering Visual Data Using anAugmented-Reality Application, and assigned to the assignee of thepresent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to forwarding a camera image,and more particularly to a method and apparatus for forwarding a cameraimage from a device, the device directed via an augmented-realityapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Augmented reality game play utilizes a technology that superimposes acomputer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thusproviding a composite view of the real world and the computer-generatedimage. During such game play, a user's surroundings will appear on adevice, with the surroundings “augmented” as part of the game. Forexample, Pokémon Go® is location-based augmented reality game developedby Niantic for iOS and Android devices. In the game, players use amobile device's global-positioning system (GPS) capability to locate,capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appearon the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as theplayer.

Public-safety institutions often need to gather visual data. The visualdata is mostly captured from cameras placed in various locations. Theimages may be needed for example to identify specific individuals, getdetails about risks at specified place, gathering intelligence data inincidents area, . . . , etc. In many cases there are no cameras in areaswhere images are needed. It would be beneficial if augmented-realitygame play could be utilized to provide public-safety institutions withmuch-needed visual data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which together with the detailed description below areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a general operating environment for the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a general operating environment for the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the placement of a virtual object in order to capturean image of a public-safety incident.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a dispatch center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an application server of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing operation of the dispatch center of FIG.4.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operation of the application server ofFIG. 5.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioningof some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative toother elements to help to improve understanding of various embodimentsof the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements thatare useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are oftennot depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of thesevarious embodiments of the present invention. It will further beappreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to address the above, mentioned need, a method and apparatusfor gathering visual data using an augmented-reality application (e.g.,a augmented-reality game) is provided herein. During operation alocation for a public-safety area of interest is determined. Thelocation is provided to an augmented-reality server that modifies anaugmented-reality application (e.g., an augmented-reality game) to placeor modify a virtual image in a position that is based on thepublic-safety area of interest. Images are then obtained from playerdevices running the augmented-reality application that point theircameras towards the public-safety area of interest.

It should be noted that the above technique may also be utilized to movepeople away from a particular area. For example, assume that a dangerousincident has been reported at a particular location. The location may beprovided to an augmented-reality server where an application/game ismodified to place or modify a virtual image in a position that is basedon the particular location. The position will be such that people aredirected away from the location.

Expanding on the above, assume that a public-safety dispatcher decidesthat they need more insight on specific area. The dispatcher may directa game server to put a virtual object (e.g., a rare object, interestingartifacts, . . . , etc.) in the specific area. People passing by thisarea that have the game (application) installed on their player devices(e.g., smart phones) will tend to point their player device's camera atlocation specified by the dispatcher. The player devices are instructedto automatically take an image when pointed at the virtual object (oralternatively pointed in the direction of the specific area). Imagestaken by players are sent back to the dispatcher. More specifically, thevirtual-reality game that is run on a player device will include theinstructions to access a camera and take an image of the surroundingswhen certain conditions are met. For example, the detection of a virtualobject may cause an image to be obtained and forwarded to the gameserver.

The dispatcher is able to change the field of view of images received byinfluencing the placement of the virtual object or by controllingbehavior of virtual characters. It is assumed that game players will notbe aware when or where game play was influenced by the dispatcher.Additionally, it is preferable to have images automatically capturedwithout user knowledge.

As an example of the above, assume somebody calls 911 reporting a fireat a particular location. Assume that the dispatcher has doubts aboutthe credibility of the report. Visual confirmation of the fire would behelpful. The dispatcher may provide a game server the location of thefire which will locate a virtual image at or near the location thatencourages people to point their phone cameras toward the location.Images of the location are transferred to the dispatch operator. Forexample, people a mile away may point their devices in the air in thedirection of the fire to determine if smoke is seen or not. These imagesare provided to the dispatch operator.

As a further example of the above, assume that a bank robbery occurs andthe police need to make sure that there are minimal number of bystandersin the affected area. The dispatcher may influence game play asdescribed above to make sure players will leave affected area andpotential access routes which may be used by first responders. This maybe accomplished by placing virtual objects along desired routes forbystanders. Virtual objects may be modified as well. For example, a gameplayer may interact with virtual character (e.g. fight, talk, . . . ,etc). The behavior of virtual character may impact of behavior(movement) of a player. For example, the character may say, “followme!”, or may move in a certain direction in order to influence themovement of the player.

As a further example of the above, consider a police officer's need tofollow a suspect. To minimize the risk of undercover operations beingdiscovered by the suspect, the observation is handled over to augmentedreality game players. The dispatcher can influence the game play asdescribed above to make sure the suspect's route is under observation ofcameras from smartphone of game players.

It should be noted that any augmented-reality application server may notbe able to deliver photos in real time (e.g. a game player may needadditional time to arrive at incident scene). A dispatch center may putin a request for a photo, and at a later time, be notified that thephoto is available.

The following definitions are provided to set the necessary backgroundfor utilization of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Public-Safety Incident—An event or occurrence that involves firstresponders e.g., (police, fire, military, coastguard, . . . etc.). Suchoccurrences include, but are not limited to a fire, a crime, aweather-related event such as a lightning strike, suspicious activity,graffiti, . . . , etc.

Public-Safety Area of Interest—A geographic area where images mayprovide information on a public-safety incident.

Augmented-Reality Application—Any program or game that superimposes acomputer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thusproviding a composite view of the real world and computer-generatedimage. During execution of such an application, a user's surroundingswill appear on a player device, with the surroundings “augmented” withimages as part of the application. Other examples of augmented-realityapplications are applications such as a “find-my-car” application forparking lots, mapping applications for route planning, . . . , etc.

Image—a video, picture, or live feed of an object or area.

Virtual Object—A object that is virtual as opposed to real. Such anobject may exist as part of an augmented-reality game or may simply be arandom object place on a player device in order to direct the user'scamera to a particular point. In other embodiment virtual object may beimplemented as virtual character or hero, who may expose particularbehavior or emotions and interact with an Augmented-Reality Applicationuser.

Player Device—a preferably-mobile device that runs an augmented-realityapplication that places a virtual object placed within theaugmented-reality game. The position of the virtual object will dependupon a location of a public-safety incident. The player device willpreferably have an image-capture device that automatically capturesimages as part of the augmented-reality game.

Turing now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate likecomponents, FIG. 1 is a general operating environment 100 for thepresent invention. Environment 100 includes one or more radio accessnetworks (RANs) 102, a public-safety core network 104, player device112, a computer 114, and communication links 118, 124. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention, computer 114 serves as apublic-safety dispatch center 114. Game server 107 executes anaugmented-reality game, providing the necessary game data to remote unit(device) 112. It should be noted that the term “game server” and“application server” are used interchangeably, and simply mean a serverthat runs an augmented-reality application, which may be anaugmented-reality game.

Game server 107 is coupled to game database 130. Database 130 comprisesinformation necessary for server 107 to appropriately execute aparticular game. For example, database 130 may comprise playerinformation, player levels, player locations, battle information,virtual-object locations, . . . , etc. It should be noted that althoughonly one server 107 is shown coupled to database 130, there may existmany servers 107 providing game services to players, with each server107 sharing database 130 (or a copy of database 130).

In one embodiment of the present invention, game server 107 is shown asa separate entity from dispatch center 114. Communication betweendispatch center 114 and game server 107 takes place through anintervening network such as, but not limited to a cellular communicationsystem 106. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, two separate networks exist,namely public-safety core network 104, and public network 106 (e.g.,Verizon, Spring, AT&T, . . . , etc.).

Each RAN 102 includes typical RAN elements such as base stations, basestation controllers (BSCs), routers, switches, and the like, arranged,connected, and programmed to provide wireless service to user equipment(e.g., tablet computer 116 operated by officer 101) in a manner known tothose of skill in the relevant art.

In a similar manner, network 106 includes elements such as basestations, base station controllers (BSCs), routers, switches, and thelike, arranged, connected, and programmed to provide wireless serviceand game-play data to user equipment (e.g., smartphone 112 operated byuser 120) in a manner known to those of skill in the relevant art.

The public-safety core network 104 may include one or morepacket-switched networks and/or one or more circuit-switched networks,and in general provides one or more public-safety agencies with anynecessary computing and communication needs, transmitting any necessarypublic-safety-related data and communications.

Player device 112 and device 116 may be any suitable computing andcommunication devices configured to engage in wireless communicationover an air interface as is known to those in the relevant art. Playerdevice 112 may comprise any device capable of participating in anaugmented-reality game play and comprising a camera (not shown). Forexample, player devices 112 may comprise a mobile device running anAndroid™ or iOS™ operating system and having a camera and a GPS receivercapable of determining a location. Device 116 may be a tablet computercapable of displaying video/pictures sent to it from dispatch center114. For example, an image collected by player device 112 may be relayedto dispatch center 114, and then to any officer 101 by relaying theimage to device 116.

Finally, computer 114 is part of a computer-aided-dispatch center,manned by an operator providing location information to server 107 andreceiving images from server 107. For example, computer 114 typicallycomprises a graphical user interface that provides the dispatch operatornecessary information about public-safety incidents. As discussed above,a location of the incident may be provided to server 107, and inresponse, an image (obtained from player device 112) may be obtained ofthe incident from server 107. This mage may be then provided to device116.

It should be noted that in an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, server 107 may reside within dispatch center 114. Thisconfiguration is shown in FIG. 2.

During operation, dispatch center 114 receives information on aparticular public-safety incident. This information may come from thepublic via emergency (911) calls through the phone system (not shown),or from public-safety officers. For example, dispatch center 114 mayreceive a 911 call reporting a fire at a particular location, ordispatch center 114 may receive information from officer 101 regarding aparticular route a suspect is taking.

Regardless of where public-safety incident data is obtained, dispatchcenter 114 receives a location of the incident and provides the locationof the incident to game server 107. Along with the location, other dataabout the incident may be provided to game server 107. For example,information as to whether or not a picture is wanted of the incidentscene (public-safety area of interest), or whether or not individualsare to be directed away from the public-safety area of interest may beprovided to game server 107.

In response to the above, game server 107 modifies game play for playerdevices near (e.g., within a mile) the public-safety area of interestthat are playing an augmented-reality game. For example, users 120 ofplayer devices 112 may be incentivized to move in a particular directionbased on the information received from dispatch center 114. As part ofincentivizing users, a virtual object may be placed within the game at aparticular position that is based on the location of the public-safetyarea of interest. Additionally, virtual objects may be modified as well.For example, a game player may interact with virtual character (e.g.fight, talk, . . . , etc). The behavior of virtual character may impactof behavior (movement) of a player. For example, the character may say,“follow me!”, or may move in a certain direction in order to influencethe movement of the player. This is illustrated in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, virtual object 301 has been superimposed on areal-world background 302. In this particular example, a building is onfire, and an image of the building is desired. A camera within playerdevice 112 will trigger when the appropriate field of view is within thecamera. The triggering of the camera may be simply based on when thevirtual object is detected by the player device, or based on the camerafield of view (FOV).

A camera FOV (as determined by player device 112) may comprise acamera's location and its pointing direction, for example, a GPSlocation and a compass heading. Based on this information, a FOV can bedetermined. For example, a current location of a camera may bedetermined from an image (e.g., 42 deg 04′ 03.482343″ lat., 88 deg 03′10.443453″ long. 727 feet above sea level), and a compass bearingmatching the camera's pointing direction may be determined from theimage (e.g, 270 deg. from North), a level direction of the camera may bedetermined from the image (e.g., −25 deg. from level), and amagnification (zoom) may be determined (e.g., 10×) from the image. Fromthe above information, the camera's FOV is determined by determining ageographic area captured by the camera having objects above a certaindimension resolved. For example a FOV may comprise any geometric shapethat has, for example, objects greater than 1 cm resolved (occupyingmore than 1 pixel). When the camera FOV overlaps the desired FOV, animage may be obtained.

It should be noted that the image is obtained as part of the game, andthe user may be unaware that an image was taken. The image is thensupplied to game server 107 as part of the gaming data. This image isthen provided to dispatch center 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the dispatch center of FIG. 1. As shown,dispatch center 114 may include transmitter 401, receiver 402,graphical-user interface (GUI) 405, logic circuitry 403, and memory 404.In other implementations, dispatch center 114 may include more, fewer,or different components.

Transmitter 401 and receiver 402 are preferably wireless, and may belong-range and/or short-range transceivers that utilize a private 802.11network set up by a building operator, a next-generation cellularcommunications network operated by a cellular service provider, or anypublic-safety network such as an APCO 25 network or the FirstNetbroadband network. Transmitter 401 and receiver 402 may also containmultiple transmitters and receivers, to support multiple communicationsprotocols simultaneously. For example, transmitter 401 and receiver 402may use a first communication-system protocol for communicating withofficer 101 over network 104, and use a second communication-systemprotocol for communicating with server 107 over network 106.

Graphical-User Interface (GUI) 405 comprises a screen (e.g., a liquidcrystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display,surface-conduction electro-emitter display (SED), plasma display, fieldemission display (FED), bistable display, projection display, laserprojection, holographic display, etc.) that can display images, maps,incident data, . . . , etc. GUI 405 receives an input from a user toinitiate an attempt to capture an image. The input may compriseinformation on an incident such as, but not limited to, a location ofthe incident, a severity of the incident, whether or not an image of theincident is desired, whether or not people are to move away from theincident, . . . , etc. In order to provide the above features (andadditional features), GUI 405 may include a monitor, a keyboard, amouse, and/or various other hardware components to provide a man/machineinterface.

Logic circuitry 403 comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), generalpurpose microprocessor, a programmable logic device, or applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) and is utilized to receive the inputfrom GUI 405 and generate a request for an image.

Memory 404 comprises standard random-access memory, and is used to storeinformation such as, but not limited to maps, incident data, images, . .. , etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, network 106 is attached (i.e., connected)to dispatch center 114 through network interface 407 and communicateswith processor 403. Network 106 is connected via a wired connection tonetwork interface 407, although this connection may be wireless inalternate embodiments. Network interface 407 includes elements includingprocessing, modulating, and transceiver elements that are operable inaccordance with any one or more standard or proprietary wired orwireless interfaces, wherein some of the functionality of theprocessing, modulating, and transceiver elements may be performed bymeans of processor 403.

In the illustrative embodiment, network 104 is attached (i.e.,connected) to dispatch center 114 through transmitter 401 and receiver402 both of which communicate with processor 403. Network 104 isconnected to dispatch center 114 via a wireless connection, althoughthis connection may be wired in alternate embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an application server shown in FIG. 1. Asshown, application server 107 may include logic circuitry 503, andmemory 504. In other implementations, application server 107 may includemore, fewer, or different components.

Logic circuitry 403 comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), generalpurpose microprocessor, a programmable logic device, or applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) and is utilized to receive a requestfor an image (including an incident location) and provide the image tothe dispatch center.

Memory 404 comprises standard random-access memory, and is used to storeinformation such as, but not limited to maps, incident data, images, . .. , etc.

In the illustrative embodiment, player devices 112 and dispatch center114 are attached (i.e., connected) to application server 107 throughnetwork interface 507 and communicates with processor 503. Networkinterface 507 includes elements including processing, modulating, andtransceiver elements that are operable in accordance with any one ormore standard or proprietary wired or wireless interfaces, wherein someof the functionality of the processing, modulating, and transceiverelements may be performed by means of processor 503.

Network interface 507 is configured to receive incident data from adispatch center. The incident data including a location of an area ofinterest. The incident data may also include whether or not an image isdesired, and whether or not pedestrians are to be directed away from thearea.

Network interface 507 is also configured to forward a virtual object aspart of game play to a player device along with a trigger that directsthe player device to capture an image when certain conditions are met.For example, the image capture may be triggered upon detection of thevirtual object, or may be triggered upon a field-of-view of the playerdevice overlapping the area of interest. The trigger and virtual objectare preferably transferred as part of normal game-play messaging.

Network interface 507 is also configured to receive an image of thedesired area of interest from the player device and forward the image tothe requestor (dispatch center).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing operation of the dispatch center of FIG.4. In particular, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing steps (not allnecessary) for gathering visual data by a dispatch center. The logicflow begins at step 601 where logic circuitry 403 receives informationon a public-safety incident; the information including a location of apublic-safety area of interest. It should be noted that thepublic-safety area of interest may be at the same location as thepublic-safety incident. In other words, the information on thepublic-safety incident may simply comprise the location of the incident.Logic circuitry 403 may receive this information from a dispatchoperator through GUI 405, or logic circuitry 403 may receive thisinformation automatically as part of a 911 dispatch operation.

At step 603 logic circuitry 403 determines that an image or video of thelocation of the public-safety area of interest is desired and forwardsthe location of the public-safety area of interest to an applicationserver (step 605) so that the application server can direct placement ormodification of a virtual object within an augmented-reality applicationbased on the location of the public-safety area of interest. Finally, atstep 607, logic circuitry 403 receives the image or video of thepublic-safety area of interest from a player device in response toforwarding.

As discussed, the location of the public-safety area of interestcomprises a geographic location, for example, latitude of a longitude.However in an alternate embodiment of the present invention the locationmay be more descriptive, such as description of point of interest e.g.,description of the object of interest that may be in the area: e.g. redcar or a description of the person of interest (e.g. man wearing bluejeans and black jacket).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the public-safetyincident comprises a crime or a fire, however in alternate embodimentsof the present invention the public-safety incident may comprise apublic-safety incident taken from the group consisting of a crime, afire, a terrorist attack, an undercover operation, a suspectsurveillance, a gas leak, a traffic accident, a disaster, and a missingperson.

As discussed above, logic circuitry 403 may store any image in database404 and may also instruct transmitter 401 to forward the received imageor video to a public safety officer. The step of forwarding the locationof the public-safety area of interest may include the step of forwardingthe location over a first network, and the step of forwarding thereceived image or video to the public-safety officer may include thestep of forwarding the received image or video over a second network.The first network may comprise a public network and the second networkmay comprise a public-safety network.

With the above logic flow in mind, the dispatch center of FIG. 4provides for an apparatus comprising logic circuitry 403 receivinginformation on an incident and receiving information that an image orvideo of an incident scene associated with the incident is desired.Transmitter 401 is provided for forwarding a location of an area ofinterest to an application server so that the application server candirect placement of a virtual object within an augmented-realityapplication based on the area of interest. Receiver 402 is provided forreceiving the image or video of the area of interest from a playerdevice.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operation of the server of FIG. 5. Moreparticularly, the flow chart of FIG. 7 illustrates those steps (not allnecessary) for providing an image to a first entity. In a preferredembodiment the first entity comprises a public-safety dispatch center;however, the first entity may comprise other devices that request animage. For example an officer on a beat may possess a handheld computerand desire an image of an incident.

The logic flow begins at step 701 where network interface 507 receives alocation of an area of interest as part of a message from the firstentity. Logic circuitry then generates a virtual object or modifies anexisting object for an augmented-reality application for a playerdevice, the location of the virtual object based on the location of thearea of interest (step 703). The virtual object is forwarded to theplayer device via network interface 507 (step 705). In response, networkinterface 507 receives an image of the area of interest from the playerdevice (step 707) and forwards the image to the first entity (step 709).

As discussed above, the virtual object comprises an object that isvirtual as opposed to real, wherein the object exists as part of anaugmented-reality game in order to direct a camera on the player deviceto the area of interest. Additionally, the area of interest preferablycomprises an area of interest surrounding a public-safety incident, neara public-safety incident (e.g., 100 meters away), or an actual locationof the public-safety incident. In alternate embodiments of the presentinvention the location may comprise location or a description of anobject.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the public-safety incidentis taken from the group consisting of a crime, a fire, a terroristattack, an undercover operation, a suspect surveillance, a gas leak, atraffic accident, a disaster, and a missing person. Additionally, thestep of receiving the location may comprise the step of receiving thelocation over a first network (e.g., a public-safety network), while thestep of forwarding the virtual object may comprise the step offorwarding the virtual object over a second network (e.g., a publicnetwork).

With the above in mind, server 107 provides for an apparatus configuredwith a network interface for receiving a location of an area of interestas part of a message from the first entity. Logic circuitry 503 isprovided for generating a virtual object for an augmented-realityapplication for a player device, the location of the virtual objectbased on the location of the area of interest. The network interfaceforwards the virtual object to the player device, receives an image ofthe area of interest from the player device, and forwards the image tothe first entity.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that references tospecific implementation embodiments such as “circuitry” may equally beaccomplished via either on general purpose computing apparatus (e.g.,CPU) or specialized processing apparatus (e.g., DSP) executing softwareinstructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable memory. It willalso be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” ina certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also beconfigured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or allfunctions could be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, acombination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage medium having computer readable code stored thereon forprogramming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform amethod as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for gathering visual data, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving information on a public-safetyincident; the information including a location of a public-safety areaof interest; forwarding the location of the public-safety area ofinterest to an application server so that the application server candirect placement or modification of a virtual character within anaugmented-reality game running on a player device, based on the locationof the public-safety area of interest, wherein the virtual character isto be superimposed on a view of the real world thus providing acomposite view of the real world and the virtual character, and whereinthe virtual character is directed to be placed based on the location ofthe public-safety area of interest so that the virtual character isplaced at or near the location of the public-safety area of interest toencourage pointing a camera in the direction of the public-safety areaof interest; and in response to forwarding, receiving the image or videoof the public-safety area of interest from the player device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the location of the public-safety area ofinterest comprises a geographic location or a description of an object.3. The method of claim 2 wherein the public-safety incident comprises acrime or a fire.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the public-safetyincident is taken from the group consisting of a crime, a fire, aterrorist attack, an undercover operation, a suspect surveillance, a gasleak, a traffic accident, a disaster, and a missing person.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the step of: forwarding thereceived image or video to a public-safety officer.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein the step of forwarding the location of the public-safetyarea of interest comprises the step of forwarding the location over afirst network, and wherein the step of forwarding the received image orvideo to the public-safety officer comprises the step of forwarding thereceived image or video over a second network.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the first network comprises a public network and the secondnetwork comprises a public-safety network.
 8. A method for a dispatchcenter to obtain an image or video of an incident scene, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving a location of a public-safetyincident; forwarding a location of the public-safety incident to anaugmented-reality game server so that the augmented-reality game serverwill direct placement or modification of a virtual object within anaugmented-reality game running on a player device, based on the locationof the incident scene, wherein the virtual object is to be superimposedon a view of the real world thus providing a composite view of the realworld and the virtual object, and wherein the virtual object is directedto be placed based on the location of the public-safety area of interestso that the virtual object is to be placed at or near the location ofthe public-safety area of interest to encourage pointing a camera in thedirection of the public-safety area of interest; and in response toforwarding, receiving the image or video of the incident scene from theplayer device.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:forwarding the received image or video to a public-safety officer; andwherein the step of forwarding the location of the incident comprisesthe step of forwarding the location over a public network, and whereinthe step of forwarding the received image or video of the incident sceneto the public-safety officer comprises the step of forwarding thereceived image or video over a public-safety network.
 10. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the virtual object comprises a virtual character withinthe augmented-reality application.
 11. An apparatus comprising: logiccircuitry receiving information on a public-safety incident andreceiving information that an image or video of an incident sceneassociated with the incident is desired; a transmitter forwarding alocation of a public-safety area of interest to an application server sothat the application server can direct placement or modification of avirtual object within an augmented-reality application running on aplayer device based on the public-safety area of interest, wherein thevirtual object is to be superimposed on a view of the real world thusproviding a composite view of the real world and the virtual object, andwherein the virtual object is directed to be placed based on thelocation of the public-safety area of interest so that the virtualobject is to be placed at or near the location of the public-safety areaof interest to encourage pointing a camera in the direction of thepublic-safety area of interest; and a receiver, in response toforwarding, receiving the image or video of the area of interest fromthe player device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the informationon the incident comprises a location of the area of interest.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the incident is taken from the groupconsisting of a crime, a fire, a terrorist attack, an undercoveroperation, a suspect surveillance, a gas leak, a traffic accident, adisaster, and a missing person.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:the transmitter forwards the received image or video to a public-safetyofficer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the location of the areaof interest is forwarded over a first network, and the received image orvideo is forwarded over a second network.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15wherein the first network comprises a public network and the secondnetwork comprises a public-safety network.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the virtual object comprises a virtual character within theaugmented-reality application.